Roller ski apparatus

ABSTRACT

A foot platform is supported by front and rear rollers for rolling travel, and is provided with a control handle, simulating a ski pole, attached to its side margin for limited fore-aft swinging movement such as to facilitate banking control by a rider standing on the platform, whereby to effect steering control. In a preferred form of the invention, banking rollers attached to the side margins of the platform at a level above that of the front and rear main travel rollers, are adapted to contact the ground surface at respective limits of lateral tilt to determine such limits and to prevent dragging of the side margins against the ground.

United States Patent McDonald et al.

[ 51 Aug. 15, 1972 1541 ROLLER SKI APPARATUS {72] Inventors: Benjamin J. McDonald; Dorothy H. McDonald, both of 7943 Haskell Ave., Saugus, Calif. 91406 22 Filed: Aug. 17, 1970 21 Appl.No.: 64,407

521 U.S.C1. ..280/1l.19,280/87.04A 51 1m. 0 ..A63c 17/04 581 FieldofSearch ..280/87.04, 87.04 A,

280/1l.19, 7.13, 11.23, 11.28, 11.27, 11.13 H, 280/11.1,1l.11,l2l-l 56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,213,454 1/1917 Brown ..280/87.04 A 1,558,667 10/1925 Bried ..280/1 1.23 1,578,415 3/1926 Ferris ..280/] 1.13 H X 3,310,319 3/1967 Collins ..280/87.04 A 3,023,022 2/1962 Boyden ..280/1 1.19 X 3,310,320 3/1967 Hanna et al ..280/87.04 A

3,389,922 6/1968 Eastin ..280/1 1.23 3,399,904 9/1968 Schinke ..280/87.04 A 3,436,088 4/1969 Kunselman .....280/87.04 A X Primary Examiner-Benjamin Hersh Assistant Examiner-Milton L. Smith Attorney-Lynn H. Latta ABSTRACT A foot platform is supported by front and rear rollers for rolling travel, and is provided with a control handle, simulating a ski pole, attached to its side margin for limited fore-aft swinging movement such as to facilitate banking control by a rider standing on the platform, whereby to effect steering control.

In a preferred form of the invention, banking rollers attached to the side margins of the platform at a level above that of the front and rear main travel rollers, are adapted to contact the ground surface at respective limits of lateral tilt to determine such limits and to prevent dragging of the side margins against the ground.

9 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAUB 15 m2 SHEET 2 BF 2 INVENTORS BE/VMN/Al J P/cDomw 0 W Y h. NCDo/vAw fim ROLLER SKI APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Roller-supported riding platforms are well known in skate boards wherein steering control is effected by lateral banking tilt of the platform, the roller mounts responding by effecting steering operation of the rollers, as in roller skates. A roller-supported platfonn with a single front roller in a fork at the lower end of a steering post rising from the front end of the platform, rotatable on its vertical axis to effect steering, and having at its upper end a cross handle to be grasped by a rider so as to assist him in his stance on the platform as well as to effect steering control, has likewise been well known as a childs vehicle under the generic designation scooter".

Roller-skiing devices used in conjunction with ski poles are disclosed in the following prior U.S. Pats: No. 3,3 10,319 to Collins, No. 3,389,922 to Eastin, and No. 3,436,088 to Kunselman.

Skate boards having both front and rear and laterally disposed rollers are shown in the following U.S. Pats: No. 3,399,904 to Schinke; No. 3,310,320 to Hanna; and Kunselman and Collins, identified above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The general object of the invention is to provide a roller-ski apparatus having control handles with pivotal connections to the sides of a platform or pair of platforms, such that lateral banking control can be transmitted through the handles from the hands of a rider without restricting forward and rearward movement of his hands and arms and twisting movements of his body to more closely simulate the movements in snow skiing while maintaining the lateral banking control.

Specific objects are l. to provide a single platform, two-footed stance roller-ski apparatus for beginners and younger riders which is relatively safe against the occurrence of serious injury;

2. to provide a dual platform roller-ski apparatus for more advanced skiers, more closely simulating snow skis in operation with greater maneuverability.

These and other objects will become apparent in the following specifications and appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating one form of the invention as used in roller-skiing; a rider being shown in phantom;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an inverted plan view of the same;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the same;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 6 is a detail side elevational view, partially in section, of the control handle connection to platform;

FIG. 7 is a detail front elevational view of said connection, with the platform shown in section as indicated by line 7-7 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a dual single-foot platform apparatus embodying a modified form of the invention; as used by a rider shown in phantom;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of one of the dual platforms;

FIG. 10 is a plan view thereof; and

FIG. 11 is a plan view of another modified form.

DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawings in detail, and in particular to FIGS. 1-7, I have shown therein, as an example of one form in which the invention may be embodied, a roller ski apparatus comprising a platform 10 carried by front and back rollers 11 and 12 during normal forward travel in a straight path, and having lateral banking rollers 13 which are elevated above the ground surface when the platform is in a level attitude and are adapted to contact the ground surface during a banking tilt of the platform, to prevent dragging of a side margin of the platform against the ground surface and to determine the limits of tilt. The platform I0 has a width such that the two feet of a rider can be planted side-by-side on the platform, as contrasted to the positions, one behind the other, of the feet of a skate board rider as placed on the board.

The front and back rollers 11 and 12 are disposed along the major longitudinal axis of platform 10 midway between the side margins of the platform, and are positioned at the front and back ends of the platform respectively. They are attached to the under face of the platform by mounts 14 of the general type utilized in roller skates and skate boards, having a steering effect on the rollers in response to banking tilt of the platform. Rollers ll, 12 are disposed at a level sufficiently below that of banking rollers 13 so that normal, moderate banking, for broad radius turns, can be executed without bringing either of the banking rollers into contact with the ground surface.

A pair of control handles 20, simulating ski poles, are attached to the respective sides of the platform 10 for limited forward-rearward swinging movements, but restrained against lateral movement relative to the platform. This makes it possible for the rider to use the handles to control lateral banking tilt of the platform while retaining freedom to move one shoulder forward and the other back in a body twist similar to that employed in making a turn in snow skiing. The limitation of fore-aft swinging movements prevents the handles from collapsing downwardly during such movements. Such downward collapsing would largely defeat the control action of the handles.

Each control handle 20 is attached to a respective side margin of platform 10, midway between its front and back extremities, by means of a yoke 21 having laterally spaced ears 22, 23 which are bridged by a pintle 24 near their upper ends. Pintle 24 pierces the respective handle 20 above its lower end which projects below the pintle and between a pair of studs 25 located before and behind the pintle 24, thus function ing as stops against which the lower end of the handle 20 will engage at the forward and rearward limits of its swinging movement. The handle 20 is snugly embraced laterally between the cars 22, 23 of yoke 21 so as to be constrained to move in a fore-aft plane with substantially no freedom for lateral swinging movement relative to the platform.

Banking rollers 13 are each mounted in a bracket 30 which carries the respective roller axle in a position tilted upwardly and outwardly. Consequently the roller is disposed in a plane tilted downwardly and outwardly with reference to the plane of the platform such that when the platform is at maximum banking tilt, bringing a respective roller into contact with the ground surface, that the roller will be disposed in an upright position, its plane vertical.

Rollers 13 are disposed centrally of the side margins of platform 10. To this end, each bracket 30 is attached to a respective yoke 21 as illustrated.

in the use of the apparatus of FIGS. l-7, it is placed an elevated area of a hard-surfaced slope of moderate grade, with the main rollers l l and 12 aligned on a travel path directed down the slope. Grasping the two handles in his respective behind the platform, the rider steps forwardly onto the platform, first with one foot in the rolling of the platform downhill, or in order to impart rolling momentum to the apparatus on a level surface. With the rolling thus started at a speed adequate to gain control thereof sufficiently to balance the platform in a substantially levelled attitude with both banking rollers 13 in their normal elevated positions, out of contact with the ground surface, the rider, after adjusting his feet to their normal laterally spread positions as described above, can vary his path of travel from a straight downhill course to a series of turns, weaving back and forth, to whatever extent may become desirable. Moderate turns of broad radius can be negotiated by banking the platform slightly, maintaining the banking rollers 13 out of contact with the ground surface. Such banking can be accurately and finely controlled by lateral pressure against handles 20 in a common direction, accompanied by a slight shifting of weight between the two feet such as to tilt the platform downwardly toward the center of the turn. Using the control handles, with lateral pressure against the handles reacted against the inertia of the riders body, it is possible to maintain a fine control over the banking tilt, without requiring any substantial amount of preacquired skill in the manipulation of the platform. Hence, the apparatus of FIGS. 1-7 is especially suitable for use by beginners and those having no previous experience in balancing on skis or skateboard. Control of the platform can be exercized by a combination of foot pressure developed by body weight shifting, and lateral pressure on the handles for ultimate control when needed.

Modified Form Referring now to FIGS. 7-9 of the drawings, there is shown therein a modified form of the invention for a more advanced fonn of roller-skiing more closely simulating snow skiing. in this form there are dual singlefoot platforms 40 each having respective front and back rollers 11 and 12 attached by mounts [4 similar to the mounts 14 of FIG. l-7. Each platform 40 is provided with a single control handle 20 attached to its outer side margin, midway between its front and back ends, by means of a yoke 21 the same as that of FIGS. l-7. No banking rollers are utilized in this form.

In the use of the advanced skiing apparatus, as shown in FIG. 8, the rider mounts the dual platforms, with one feet firmly in contact with the respective platforms and properly positioned thereon. At the same time, the handles can be used to control the banking lateral tilt of the in which his body leans. The limited range of forewardbackward swinging movement of the handles which is permitted by their attachment yokes 21, will make it easy for the rider to effect a body twist accompanied by advancement of one platform (e.g. the one having the travel may easily be kept in adjacent, substantially parallel relation at all times. In some instances it may be desirable to amplify the steering action by exerting twisting torque against one or both handles, transmitted to the platforms by the yokes 21 and the connections between the handles and the yokes, which are such as to transmit such torque. As in the beginner's apparatus, control can be exercized by a combination of weight-shifting foot pressure and corrective or ultimate control through handles 20.

A beginner who has not yet acquired the skill of balancing himself on the platform without receiving support from the handles, can lean forwardly against the handles in order to receive such support, the handles and platform becoming, in effect, a rigid unitary assembly under these circumstances. After acquiring balancing skill, the rider can swing the handles forwardly and rearwardly, and execute body twists, in a manner simulating a snow skiing operation. Also, after acquiring balancing skill, a rider can impart forward motion to the apparatus by tilting the handles rearwardly and using them as push handles to push the platform forwardly while running on the ground surface behind the platform, and can mount the platform by apparatus of F IG. l-7.

The apparatus of H6. 8

Referring now to FIG. 11, the further modified form of the invention shown therein utilizes a pair of banking rollers 49 at each side of platform 50, the rollers 49 being carried by a mounting bracket 51 having a central portion secured to handle yoke 21 the same as in FIGS. I7, and having respective arms extending to adjacent comers of the platform as shown. These bracket arms are such as to mount each pair of rollers 49 in planes slanted downwardly and outwardly and also in outwardly diverging relation to the major axis of the platform. The divergence is such as to position the roller planes parallel to a circumference of the path of steering movement of the platform (indicated by broken line 52) when the platform is banked so that said pair of rollers approach the ground surface.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the platform is provided with shoe grip pads 36 of serrated-surface rubber or plastic, to inhibit slippage of the feet against the platform surface. Also, the margins of the platform are faced with bumper strips 37 of resilient material, to protect such margins against damage from contact with obstructions. Similar shoe grip pads and bumper strips are utilized in the apparatuses of FIGS. 8-10 and 11. Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the studs 25 function not only as handle stops but also as bolts to secure the yoke 21 to the platform, the yoke having a clip portion 39 embracing the side marginal portion of the platform, and the studs extending through the platform and through the lower and upper arms of clip portion 39 (the upper arm being the bottom web of the yoke).

As best shown in FIG. 9, the main roller brackets 30 are attached to the underside of the platform (in each form of the invention) with interposed shims or spacers 38. Such spacers may be relatively thin as in FIG. 9 or may be thicker in relatively large platforms in order to increase the height of the platform from the ground surface, thus providing for increased banking tilt and sharper turns.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

I claim:

1. In a roller ski apparatus, in combination:

a foot-supporting platform having a major longitudinal axis;

skate-type rollers located along said axis beneath the front and back ends of said platform;

mount means attaching said rollers to the underside of said platform, said mount means effecting a steering action of said rollers in response to lateral banking tilt of the platform, whereby to support the platform for rolling movement along a path aligned with said axis;

a control handle;

and means connecting said handle to a side of said platform for limited forward-rearward swinging movement of the handle relative to the platform in a limited angular range extending generally perpendicularly from the platform, whereby a rider can exercise control over lateral banking tilt of the platform during turns in the path of rolling movement, with freedom to exercise body-twisting movements accompanied by limited forward-rearward shoulder and arm swinging movements free of restraint from said handle;

said connecting means comprising a yoke secured to the side of the platform, said yoke including laterally spaced substantially parallel ears and a pintle bridging said ears and piercing said handle on a transverse axis of swinging movement of said handle;

said handle including a lower end portion projecting downwardly into said yoke below said pintle;

and a pair of bridging transversely between said ears and positioned to function as stops for engagement by said lower end of said handle to limit the forward-rearward swinging movement thereof relative to the platform.

2. A roller ski apparatus as defined in claim 1, in which said handle is embraced by said ears sufficiently closely to substantially prevent lateral swinging movement of the handle relative to the platform.

3. A roller ski apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said platform has a width such as to provide standing area for the two feet of a rider placed side by side;

there being two of said handles, connected to respective sides of said platform and adapted to be grasped in the two hands of a rider.

4. Roller ski apparatus as defined in claim 1, including a pair of said platforms, each being of an area such as to support a single foot of a rider, and each having one of said control handles connected to one side thereof.

5. Roller ski apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein each of said pair of platforms is provided with roller support means consisting only of said front and back rollers.

6. In a roller ski apparatus, in combination:

a foot-supporting platform having a major longitudinal axis;

skate-type rollers located along said axis beneath the front and back ends of said platform;

mount means attaching said rollers to the underside of said platform, said mount means effecting a steering action of said rollers in response to lateral banking tilt of the platform, whereby to support the platform for rolling movement along a path aligned with said axis;

a control handle;

and means connecting said handle to a side of said platform for limited forward-rearward swinging movement of the handle relative to the platform in a limited angular range extending generally perpendicularly from the platform, whereby a rider can exercise control over lateral banking tilt of the platform during turns in the path of rolling movement, with freedom to exercise body-twisting movements accompanied by limited forward-rearward shoulder and arm swinging movements free of restraint from said handle;

said platform having a width such as to provide standing area for the two feet of a rider placed side by side;

there being two of said handles, connected to respective sides of said platform and adapted to be grasped in the two hands of the rider; and

a pair of banking rollers mounted on respective sides of said platform at an elevation above that of the front and back rollers, said banking rollers being positioned to engage the ground surface at a limit of banking tilt of the platform where the respective side margin of the platform just clears the ground surface.

7. Roller-ski apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said banking rollers are disposed in planes flaring downwardly and outwardly, such that at said limit of banking tilt, a roller, upon contacting the ground surface will be disposed in a vertically upright position.

8. A roller ski apparatus as defined in claim 6,

wherein said connecting means comprises a yoke secured to the side of the platfon'n, said yoke including laterally spaced substantially parallel ears and a pintle bridging said ears and piercing said handle on a transverse axis of swinging movement of said handle.

9. A roller ski apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said handle includes a lower end portion projecting downwardly into said yoke below said connectmg means;

and a pair of studs bridging transversely between said ears and positioned to function as stops for engagement by said lower end of said handle to limit the forward-rearward swinging movement thereof relative to the platform. 

1. In a roller ski apparatus, in combination: a foot-supporting platform having a major longitudinal axis; skate-type rollers located along said axis beneath the front and back ends of said platform; mount means attaching said rollers to the underside of said platform, said mount means effecting a steering action of said rollers in response to lateral banking tilt of the platform, whereby to support the platform for rolling movement along a path aligned with said axis; a control handle; and means connecting said handle to a side of said platform for limited forward-rearward swinging movement of the handle relative to the platform in a limited angular range extending generally perpendicularly from the platform, whereby a rider can exercise control over lateral banking tilt of the platform during turns in the path of rolling movement, with freedom to exercise body-twisting movements accompanied by limited forward-rearward shoulder and arm swinging movements free of restraint from said handle; said connecting means comprising a yoke secured to the side of the platform, said yoke including laterally spaced substantially parallel ears and a pintle bridging said ears and piercing said handle on a transverse axis of swinging movement of said handle; said handle including a lower end portion projecting downwardly into said yoke below said pintle; and a pair of bridging transversely between said ears and positioned to function as stops for engagement by said lower end of said handle to limit the forward-rearward swinging movement thereof relative to the platform.
 2. A roller ski apparatus as defined in claim 1, in which said handle is embraced by said ears sufficiently closely to substantially prevent lateral swinging movement of the handle relative to the platform.
 3. A roller ski apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said platform has a width such as to provide standing area for the two feet of a rider placed side by side; there being two of said handles, connected to respective sides of said platform and adapted to be grasped in the two hands of a rider.
 4. Roller ski apparatus as defined in claim 1, including a pair of said platforms, each being of an area such as to support a single foot of a rider, and each having one of said control handles connected to one side thereof.
 5. Roller ski apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein each of said pair of platforms is provided with roller support means consisting only of said front and back rollers.
 6. In a roller ski apparatus, in combination: a foot-supporting platform having a major longitudinal axis; skate-type rollers located along said axis beneath the front and back ends of said platform; mount means attaching said rollers to the underside of said platform, said mount means effecting a steering action of said rollers in response to lateral banking tilt of the platform, wHereby to support the platform for rolling movement along a path aligned with said axis; a control handle; and means connecting said handle to a side of said platform for limited forward-rearward swinging movement of the handle relative to the platform in a limited angular range extending generally perpendicularly from the platform, whereby a rider can exercise control over lateral banking tilt of the platform during turns in the path of rolling movement, with freedom to exercise body-twisting movements accompanied by limited forward-rearward shoulder and arm swinging movements free of restraint from said handle; said platform having a width such as to provide standing area for the two feet of a rider placed side by side; there being two of said handles, connected to respective sides of said platform and adapted to be grasped in the two hands of the rider; and a pair of banking rollers mounted on respective sides of said platform at an elevation above that of the front and back rollers, said banking rollers being positioned to engage the ground surface at a limit of banking tilt of the platform where the respective side margin of the platform just clears the ground surface.
 7. Roller-ski apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said banking rollers are disposed in planes flaring downwardly and outwardly, such that at said limit of banking tilt, a roller, upon contacting the ground surface will be disposed in a vertically upright position.
 8. A roller ski apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said connecting means comprises a yoke secured to the side of the platform, said yoke including laterally spaced substantially parallel ears and a pintle bridging said ears and piercing said handle on a transverse axis of swinging movement of said handle.
 9. A roller ski apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said handle includes a lower end portion projecting downwardly into said yoke below said connecting means; and a pair of studs bridging transversely between said ears and positioned to function as stops for engagement by said lower end of said handle to limit the forward-rearward swinging movement thereof relative to the platform. 